Package



Sept. l1, 1934- R. s.r REYNOLDS ET AL PACKAGE Filed July 11. 1932 Patented sept. 11, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PACKAGE Application July 11, 1932, Serial No. 621,924

9 Claims. (Cl. 229-87) This invention relates to a package and has to do particularly with a package comprising a metal foil wrapper.

The conventional package for popular brands of cigarettes and the 11ke and which a foil Wrapper, has placed about the Wrapper some form of a paper shell as a body for bearing printed matter regarding the contents of the package. In some forms of package, the shell is simply wrapped about the four vertical sides of the package. Other packages where it is desired to place printed matter upon an end as wellas the sides are slipped into a sack, the exposedsides of the sack, including the bottom, having previously been printed as desired. One popular brand of cigarettes has the foil wrapper package covered over the four vertical sides by a Wide paper slip which extends beyond an end of the package to be fabricated into the end folds thereof. v f

Each of the above named forms of package, because of the printed matter being attached thereto, complicates the packaging machinery employed and adds to the packaging operations. It is an object of the present invention to provide a foil wrapper for a package of cigarettes and the like which bears printed matter directly thereupon.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a foil wrapper having an enamel or paint thereon suitable for the reception of printed matter.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a single wrapper consisting preferably of a` backed metal foil and easily handled by mechanical means for folding into a complete package, there being a treatment to such metal foil adapting it to receive printed matter.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a wrapper as the above" and which is of a form adapting it to be treated with a thermoplastic adhesive for securing it in a packed position.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a foil Wrapper for cigarettes and the like, and treated with a thermoplastic material for securing such wrapper in the form of an air tight package for protecting the contents thereof from atmospheric influences.

With the above objects and other desirable objects in View the invention is hereinafter set forth with reference to the accompanying single sheet of drawing hereby made a part of the specication and in which:

embodies Figure 1 isv an isometric projection of a package embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a, plan view of an improved form of package Wrapper; and

` Figure 3 is a sectional View of the wrapper 6 shown in Figure 2 and ltaken along line 3--3 of that figure.

Like reference characters are used for designation of the sundry parts of the device embodying the invention throughout the following description and in the drawing.

The package shown in Figure 1 comprises a composite sheet 10 shown in Figure 2 in a flat position. The Wrapper 10 consists of a metal foil sheet 11 to one face of which is attached or 7@ secured a flexible brous sheet l2 by means of an adhesive 13 in the manner shown in Figure 3. The fibrous sheet 12 is usually of paper and i's exposed to the inner side of a package made therefrom. To the opposite side of the metal M sheet 1l intermediate margins 14 and 15 which are to be folded into the ends of the package is a quick-drying paint or enamel layer 15a o'f selected color.

By referring again to Figure 2 there will be ob- 3@ served fold lines 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, which are in parallelism and arranged vertically and for coinciding With the corners of a complete package. Other fold lines, shown dotted angular to the vertical lines above indicated arefor adapt- 35 ing the` various sections Within the margins 14 and 15 foldable to form a flat closure for the end of the package.

Before the Wrapper 10 is placed in machinery for wrapping it about a group of cigarettes for packaging, it is treated with the lamination of enamel 15a. Printing is done upon the enamel surface. Over the printing as a protection therefor may be applied a thin coating 15b of lacquer or other suitable transparent material appliable in liquid form. 'I'he wrapper is of the regular size as that used for packaging popular brands of cigarettes. During the folding operations 'for enclosing the cigarettes, the section 21 is bent ab.A -ut the folding line 20 and normally to the sec- 10 tion 22, the latter being disposed at` one of the narrow sides of the package'. Section 23 is then carried about the fold line 19 to place it Within a piane parallel to the plane of the section 21, and the sections 24, -25 and 26 are in the yproper 105 sequence articulated about the fold lines 18, 17 and 16 at ninety-degree angles to bring the inner side of the section 25 exposing the paper' liner 12 adjacent'to the outermost face of the section 21 and the inner side of the section 26 adjacent 110 to the outer side of the section 22. Thus the extended edge of the section 26 which is slightly narrower than section 22 is brought into position upon a narrow vertical strip of glue 29 upon the outer surface of the section 22 and to be thereby held. If desired, the strip 29 may be broadened to cover the entire section 22. There are glue covered areas 30 and 31 in the margins 14 and 15 extending from the strip 29. The glue strip 29 and areas 30 and 31 are applied to the Wrapper by the packaging machine in the ordinary course of events. Irregular areas of glue 32'and 33 are also applied respectively to the top and bottom margins 14 and 15 bordering the wrapper and by the packaging machine.

Sections 34 and 35 which are disposed adjacently and at a narrow side of the package are turned inwardly to lie upon the top of the package as is the section 36 which is in opposite relationship thereto. .This being accomplished the sections 32a and 37 which are adjacent to one another are folded into the top of the packageexposing the glue area 32 upwardly. The flap now formed by the section 38 is then folded to lie upon the section 32a and to be there held by the glue 32. The bottom of the package is similarly folded as are the sections within the top margin, the glue area 33 being folded into the bottom of the package anterior to the folding of the section 39 in order that the latter named section may be held in place by said glue.

Excepting for the application of the glue for holding the wrapper in the packaged position, providing the ordinary type of liquid glue is used, the wrapper is completely prepared before being placed within the packaging machine. The wrapper is adapted,- however, to the use of a thermoplastic adhesive as well as the ordinary type of glue for forming the glue sections in the margins 14 and 15 and the strip 29. When the thermo- Y plastic adhesive material is used it will be applied to the wrapper before the Wrapper goes to the packaging machine. A plate similar to a printing plate may be used for applying the enamel 15a or other suitable quick drying material capable of receiving printing material to the outer surface of the metal foil sheet. Thermoplastic adhesive sections in the margins 14 and 15 and the strip 29 may be placed to the wrapper simultaneously with the enamel. After the material 15a dries theA printed matter is prin ed thereon in the ordinary manner. Thereafter the protective coating of lacquer 15b may be applied. The addition of the enamel and lacquer gives to the package body stiffness which is obtained in other packages only by the use of paper jackets or outer sheets. The ends are not so treated, hence fold readily.

When the package is held in assembly by means of the hereinabove mentioned thermo-plastic adhesive, the packaging machine will have hot plates or rollers therein for melting the adhesive and making it effective.

The design of the adhesive coatings 30, 31, 32 and 33 is such that'when the package margins are folded into the ends of the package, the adhesive cover sections will be disposed against other sections of the margins. When the closing of the package is completed the end folds are so conglutinated as to effect an air tight seal. Further no adhesive is on the outwardly exposed fold sections. Since there is no adhesive exposed to the ends of the package the heated plates or rollers used for sealing a thermo-plastic adhesive will not become gummed and clogged. Also the complete concealment of the adhesive improves the appearance of the package.

Although the material 15a for the receiving of printed material is shown in the drawing and has been described as applied to only those sections of the wrapper exposed when in a completed package, it is possible that the enamel may be applied to those sections of the wrapper which will be exposed upon the end of a completed -package without interfering with the folding operation.

Often it is desirable to open the Whole end of a package. Such is the case when cigarettes are to be transferred from a package of the present kind to a pocket container or a humidifier. To expedite the opening of the whole end of the present package tabs 45 may be left unsealed as shown in Figure 1. There will be noted in Figure 2 small sections 46 within the adhesive covered areas and which are to be left untreated with the adhesive material when the tabs 45 are to be formed. The tabs are only large enough to be conveniently engaged as by the finger tips to tear the end folds apart and not so large as to interfere with the hermetic sealing of the package. Neither will the tabs 45 in any way inconvenience the opening of the package at a section of the end as is the conventional manner of opening such a package if the package contains cigarettes.

This type of wrapper has the desirable advantage of simplifying the packaging operations, and of making a simpler package. The customary outer jacket of paper for receiving printed matter has been eliminated and a material applied directly to the metal foil and equally suited for the reception of printed matter substituted therefor.

The wrapper may have an inner foil sheet when such extra metal sheet is desired.

Cigarettes in the best condition for smoking contain approximately twelve per cent moisture. The wrapper widely used for enclosing popular brands of cigarettes is only loosely closed at its folded ends to allow the escape of moisture from the contents to the relatively dry atmosphere in which they are commonly stored prior to sale. Some manufacturers have resorted to an auxiliary outer casing to preclude the escape of moisture from the loosely closed package. The above described manner of applying an adhesive material to a package wrapper provides for an effective sealed package whereby the necessity of an outer casing is obviated.

The description and drawing of this disclosure have been directed principally to a wrapper and package for cigarettes. Other materials or articles of merchandise may be enclosed thereby with equal efficacy. Such a wrapping as is herein described is in no way limited to the tobacco field but may be applied to many disrelated uses.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured'by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A wrapper foldable into a'package for cigarettes and comprising a sheet of metal foil, a sheet of flexible reinforcing material at one face of said foil sheet, and an enamel. paint suitable for receiving printed matter and at the opposite side of said foil sheet.

cigarettes and comprising a metal foil sheet with a face having sections at an end and at the sides of said package, a flexible fibrous material at the opposite face of said foil sheet, and a reinforcing material suitable for receiving printed matter and applicable in liquid form applied to said side sections leaving the metal exposed at said end sections.

4. A wrapper foldable to form a container. for cigarettes and comprising a metal foil sheet, a reinforcing sheet atl one side of said foil sheet, a reinforcing material applied in liquid form to the other side of said foil sheet, and a layer of thermo-plastic adhesive over selected areas of the exposed metal, the second named reinforcing material being suitable to receive printing ink when dry.

5. A wrapper foldable to form a container for cigarettes and comprising a metal foil sheet, a. reinforcing sheet at one side of said foil, a reinforcing material of a selected color applied in liquid form to the other side of said foil, and thermo-plastic adhesive over selected areas of the exposed metal, said colored reinforcing materal being adapted to receive printing ink when dry. A

6. A wrapper foldable to form a container for cigarettes and comprising a metal foil sheet, a sheet of flexiblel reinforcing material at one face of said foil sheet, an enamel paint suitable for' the. receiving of printed matter at the opposite side of said foil sheet, nd a coating of a transparent lacquer over su h printed matter.

7. A wrapper foldable to form a. container for articles ofinerchandise and comprising a metal foil sheet, a reinforcing sheet at one side of said for said container.

form to a selected area of the other side of said foil sheet and suitable to receive a printing ink when dry, printing on said reinforcing material, U

a thin layer of transparent lacquer over said printing ink, and thermo-plastic adhesive over selected areas of the exposed metal.

8. A wrapper foldable to form a container for articles of merchandise and comprising a metal foil sheet having end sections, a reinforcing sheet at one side of said foil sheet, a reinforcing material applied in liquid formlto a desired area of 'the opposite side of said foil sheet and suitable to receive a printing ink when dry, and an adhesive material over selected areas of the exposed metal of said end sections, said end sections being for folding into a closure for said container, and said adhesive material being so distributed over said end sections to coform therewith a hermatic closure for said container.

9. A wrapper foldable to form a container for articles of merchandiseand comprising a metal foil sheet having end sections, a reinforcing sheet at one side of said foil sheet, a `reinforcing material of a selected color applied in liquid form to a selected area of the opposite side of said foil sheet and suitable to receive a printing ink when dry, and a thermo-plastic adhesive material over selected areas of the exposed metal of said end sections, said end sections being for folding into a closure for said container, and said ad hesive material being so distributed over said end sections to coform therewith a hermetic closure RICHARD S. REYNOLDS. EDWARD L. MACK. 

